MScIH  - Thesis and Oral Exam

Thesis

In the final stage of the course, students of both tracks carry out a research project, under the guidance of an academic tutor from Heidelberg University, which is submitted as a thesis. This usually requires another 4 months of full time study.

The learning objective of the thesis is for the student to:

• Select a research topic
• Develop a research plan
• Implement the research plan
• Write a systematic presentation of the research plan, results and discussion.

There are three options available in order to fulfil the thesis requirement:

The student may conduct a literature study, using, analysing and discussing theoretical texts related to the research question and / or research reports from empirical studies conducted by third persons. 

In this case, the emphasis of the thesis lies on the critical analysis and discussion of the literature retrieved. The student must explain and justify the criteria for the selection of texts.

The student may conduct an analysis of already existing data sets, such as DHS data or living standard measurement study (LSMS) household surveys or other kind of data collected in a country to answer a specific research question. In this case it must be assured by the tutor and the student that the research question has not yet been worked on by a third person. 

Regardless of the data source, the study design must include a critical analysis of the quality of data and the methods applied in its collection. 

The student may conduct a primary data collection study during a stay in a field site. The study questions are normally provided by or developed in conjunction with a partner institution in the host country. The thesis supervisor may help to support the student in identifying a suitable field site but the student must make all travel arrangements on his own. 

In addition, no financial support is available and therefore, if you choose this option, you must be able to self finance the project. A field study handbook will be available from the Course Coordinator.

Oral Exam

When the thesis has been accepted, a final oral exam has to be taken at Heidelberg University. It covers:

• Core Course
• Advanced Modules
• Thesis